Central Database Push Updates for Gaming System Clients

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current gaming systems face challenges in efficiently updating information across client-server architectures without affecting uptime and performance, as frequent checks for updates can strain the data communications network.

Innovation Solution

The method involves storing login information in a central database to send targeted 'push' messages for updates to game system clients, which execute commands for updating content and settings, reducing the need for broadcasting and on-site adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If gaming machines check for updated information on a regular basis, then the system remains always updated, but the performance of the system is affected negatively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem update statusVSAvoidsystem performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having gaming machines actively check for updates (pull method), the system inverts the approach by having the central server push updates to gaming machines automatically. This reversal eliminates the need for frequent checking while maintaining update reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The gaming machines are equipped with update receiving capabilities that allow them to automatically receive and apply updates when pushed by the server, without requiring manual intervention or frequent polling checks, thus maintaining updates while reducing system load.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of information

If updates are distributed frequently to maintain system freshness, then information is always current, but the data communications network is strained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation currencyVSAvoidnetwork capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Update information is prepared and staged in advance in the central database before being pushed to gaming machines. This preliminary preparation allows updates to be distributed efficiently in a single operation rather than through repeated frequent checks, reducing network strain while maintaining information currency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The central database serves as an intermediary between the update source and gaming machines, buffering and managing update distribution. This intermediary structure allows updates to be pushed efficiently to multiple machines simultaneously, reducing overall network traffic compared to individual frequent checks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8647207B2Information updating management in a gaming system

Publication Date: 2014.02.11 PLAYTECH SOFTWARE LTD

AI summary

Updating information in a client-server based gaming system comprising a client gaming machine, a game application server and a central database, by: storing in said central database login information for gaming system units that are logged in to the gaming system; storing updated information in the central database; storing an information update control command comprising an indication of the updated information and an indication of a receiver gaming system unit in the central database; generating an update command message comprising an update command for execution of an update operation in the receiver gaming system unit; determining the communication route to the receiver gaming system unit dependent on the stored login information; communicating the update command message to the receiver gaming system unit dependent on the determined communication route; executing the update command comprised in the update command message in the receiver gaming system unit.